I think it was inspired to use a living, growing thing to signify the ending. The implications (that come to mind) in the third line are very layered, and stretch back over years and years. A poignant - and I have to say, powerful - tanka.

Hi and thanks, Adelaide and Wendy. It was a "real" moment. As I was noticing the newish blooms at their house last Jan. or Feb., I realized it would be the last time I'd ever see the bush flowering like that, at least the last time I'd see that while the house was theirs. (A few months ago, the house sold.) It was a moment of profound sadness. My mother was v. fond of her camellias (as yours was, it sounds like, A.). At that point, my mother didn't have a lot of time left (as it turns out, 2 or so months), but the camellia bush didn't know that.

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